Vet Tech Nerd Party

About Vet Tech Nerd Party

Scrubs, sarcasm, and saving lives — one patient (and cocktail) at a time. Welcome to Vet Tech Nerd Party — the unfiltered, laugh-out-loud podcast where four seasoned Registered Veterinary Technicians gather 'round the mic (and the drink cart) to spill stories, vent, educate, and celebrate the real, raw, and ridiculous world of veterinary medicine. Hosted by Mallory Dickinson, RVT, and co-hosted by Jenn, Julia, and Erin, this is more than just a podcast — it's a survival circle for the vet tech soul. With over 80 years of combined experience across general practice, shelter med, equine, surgery, emergency, marine mammal, and teaching, the crew dives deep into everything from burnout and boundaries to maggot-infested nightmares, favorite surgical cases, and the art of not losing your mind during a nail trim. Whether you’re elbows deep in a parvo kennel, dodging anal glands like a ninja, or just trying to remember what day it is — Vet Tech Nerd Party is your new favorite hangout. 🎧 What to expect: – Candid convos about the chaos and comedy of vet tech life – Hot takes on workplace culture, teaching, and mental health – Brutally honest insights, advice, and war stories – Ridiculous games, dark humor, and relatable moments – Guests, giveaways, drinks, and debates 🐾 Who we’re here for: – Vet techs, assistants, and students – Animal lovers and pet parents – Veterinary professionals who need a break — and a laugh – Anyone who’s ever left a neutered testicle in their bra – You. Especially if you're not okay — and that’s totally okay. 📍 New episodes drop regularly on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com (mailto:info@pacificlensstudios.com)

Publisher

Mallory Dickinson

Category

business · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Sept 2025

Latest episode

13 Mar 2026

Latest episodes

30 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Mar 2026

   The Admissions Gatekeeper | Delaney on Veterinary Reality vs. Puppy Dreams | Vet Tech Nerd Party

   Are you joining vet med for the puppies, or are you ready for the "unhinged" reality? Join host Mallory Dickinson and co-hosts Jenn and Julia for a bittersweet and insightful episode of Vet Tech Nerd Party as they sit down with our very own "Golden Goose," Delaney Knipps. As she prepares to transition from her role as Admissions Coordinator at OCVAS to a career in athletic mental performance, Delaney pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to be the first point of contact for aspiring vet techs. From "luring" students into the field to dealing with the emotional fallout of behavioral euthanasia, this episode explores the messy, beautiful, and often chaotic gap between expectation and reality in veterinary medicine. 🎧 What you'll discover: – The "Unhinged" Factor: Why the best vet techs usually have a touch of chaos in them. – Admissions Truth-Telling: How Delaney balances marketing the school with giving students a "naked truth" reality check. – Cognitive Dissonance in Vet Med: A mini science break on why the gap between expectation and reality causes early career burnout. – The Ex-Girlfriend Chronicles: A wild (and cautionary) tale of how a lack of pet owner responsibility can lead to tragedy. 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinary technicians & assistants – Animal lovers & pet owners – Veterinary students & recent graduates – Vet med professionals seeking humor & community – Aspiring career changers looking for a realistic view of the industry 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Meet our "Golden Goose," Delaney Knipps 06:05 – The Admissions Filter: Identifying "Puppy & Kitten" syndrome 13:18 – Alternative Routes: Explaining the OCVAS pathway to licensure 18:10 – Small World: Growing up down the street from Dr. G 23:04 – Practical Chaos: Using QR codes and navigating "administrative" questions 28:40 – The "Ex-Girlfriend" Chronicles: Cautionary tales of pet negligence 35:41 – VMD vs. DMV: Why Penn State is the outlier in vet degrees 41:14 – Mini Science Break: Cognitive Dissonance in early vet careers 45:12 – The Future of Vet Med: Resilience vs. Work-Life Balance 53:56 – Closing Thoughts: Changing the culture we’ve built 🔔 Stay Connected: – Like this video if you learned something new! – Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments. – Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay. 📚 Resources Mentioned: – OC Veterinary Assistant School (OCVAS): ocvas.com (http://ocvas.com) – Educational Psychology & Athletic Mental Performance Consulting 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com (mailto:info@pacificlensstudios.com) Season 2 Ep. 11 #VetTechLife #VetTechNerdParty #OCVAS

2. 

   6 Mar 2026

   Moral Injury vs. Burnout | Dr. G on The Corporate Excel Sheet vs. Vet Med | Vet Tech Nerd Party

   Is it burnout, or are you actually suffering from moral injury? Join host Mallory Dickinson and co-hosts Jenn and Julia as they welcome back the "big guy," Dr. Gershon Alaluf (Dr. G), for a deep dive into the psychological toll of modern veterinary medicine. Fresh off a massive research project involving over 3,200 surveys, Dr. G pulls back the curtain on his findings regarding emotional labor and the corporate "numbers game." From the "Sunday Scaries" to the heartbreaking reality of veterinary suicide, this episode explores why the "gold standard" of care often clashes with the cold reality of Excel spreadsheets. 🎧 What you'll discover: – Moral Injury Defined: Why doing something against your oath is different from just being "tired." – The Client Factor: Why emotional labor scales are driven almost entirely by client interactions, not the medicine. – Cortisol & the Brain: How chronic stress creates irreversible changes similar to CTE in athletes. – The Corporate Critique: A raw look at how KPIs and ACT numbers are driving talented professionals out of the industry. 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinary technicians & assistants – Animal lovers & pet owners – Veterinary students & recent graduates – Vet med professionals seeking humor & community – Practice managers & owners interested in team culture 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Mental health disclaimer and the "Big Guy" returns 07:11 – Defining Moral Injury: The soldier’s trauma in the vet clinic 14:22 – Luxury Items: Why pet ownership in a recession is a "moral injury" catalyst 21:50 – The Dark Side: Suicide prevention and the "Allostatic Load" on the brain 30:29 – Sustainability: Is the profession losing its best people? 34:42 – The "Dr. G Is Me" Saga: Email nightmares and joint-account tangents 43:23 – Vegas vs. Orlando: A breakdown of VMX, WVC, and corporate "Trump Towers" 46:50 – The Practice Manager Encounter: Finding closure after a corporate firing 51:28 – The Hill We Die On: Retractable leashes, shelter chances, and cat intubation 59:02 – Final Words: Corporate "Excel" culture and the impact on families 🔔 Stay Connected: – Like this video if you learned something new! – Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments. – Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay. 📚 Resources Mentioned: – 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988lifeline.org (http://988lifeline.org) – QPR Training: qprinstitute.com (http://qprinstitute.com) 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com (mailto:info@pacificlensstudios.com) Season 2 Ep. 10 #VetTechLife #MoralInjury #VetMed #VetTechNerdParty #DrG

3. 

   27 Feb 2026

   Locked Doors to New Beginnings | Insurance & Launching a Vet School | Vet Tech Nerd Party

   What career paths exist for RVTs outside the clinic? Is pet insurance a smart pivot for vet techs ready for something different? Join host Mallory Dickinson and co-hosts Jenn, Julia & special guest Phil Snow, RVT for a hilarious, engaging episode of Vet Tech Nerd Party as they unpack real-life burnout, the pivot into pet insurance, teaching as a way to give back, and the wild behind-the-scenes story of how a locked-door school shutdown helped spark OC Veterinary Assistant School. Packed with laughs, relatable insights, and professional wisdom, this episode is perfect for vet techs, animal lovers, and veterinary professionals alike. 🎧 What you'll discover: – VTNE vs California exam reality + why testing strategy matters long-term – Burnout even in “great clinics”: emotional drain, hypervigilance, and the silent drive home – Pet insurance as a pivot: what claim work/training is actually like (and why techs love it) – How teaching started immediately after licensure — and how it shaped Phil’s career path – The Heritage shutdown story, the 90/10 rule, and how they got students through anyway – Building OC Veterinary Assistant School + accidental SEO win + expanding into Lake Forest – Phil’s best advice for techs: perseverance, durability, and not quitting over one bad moment 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinary technicians & assistants – Animal lovers & pet owners – Veterinary students & recent graduates – Vet med professionals seeking humor & community – Techs considering leaving clinics but wanting to stay in vet med (insurance, teaching, training) – Anyone curious how vet tech programs and licensing pathways actually work behind the scenes 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Part 2 kickoff + VTNE vs California exam talk (and why some techs had to re-test) 06:30 – “Unicorn clinic” reality check: management pressure + burnout still happens 13:30 – Hypervigilance at home + emotional exhaustion (silent drive home vibes) 20:30 – Bernie stories: foreign bodies, “bad dogs,” and clinic culture memory lane 27:00 – Pivot to pet insurance: VPI/Nationwide, trainer life, and why some techs thrive there 33:30 – Teaching right after licensure + interview/CPR presentation story 39:30 – Heritage campus shutdown: locked doors, 90/10 rule, and finishing students anyway 46:00 – Launching OC Veterinary Assistant School + naming/SEO luck + expansion to Lake Forest 51:30 – Closing advice: perseverance, staying flexible, and the crew’s sendoff 🔔 Stay Connected: – Like this video if you learned something new! – Drop your questions or share your clinic stories in the comments. – Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. Welcome to the Nerd Party. We're not okay – and that's totally okay. 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com (mailto:info@pacificlensstudios.com) Season 2 Ep. 9 #VetTechNerdParty #PetInsurance #VTNP #VetTech #RVT

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.